Dehler 35 Cws Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The 35 CWS was offered in two principal arrangements, and both appear on the brokerage market. The more commonly encountered layout is the three-cabin configuration, with a forward double, an aft double, and the saloon settees available as additional berths — a practical setup that made the boat attractive for couples or small families wanting genuine guest accommodation. A second layout converted the forecabin into more of a day cabin or owner's office with fold-up table and bench seating, a configuration that suited liveaboards and bluewater cruisers who preferred stowage and working space forward over a second sleeping cabin. The saloon in both versions is traditional in feel but runs on the compact side, with a galley to port and an outward-facing chart table to starboard — the chart table works well enough for navigation but is considered only moderately successful by reviewers, and the galley has limited built-in stowage. Buyers accustomed to more generous interiors in later 35-footers should set expectations accordingly.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Boats that have been actively cruised tend to arrive on the market well-equipped. Autopilots are almost universally fitted — essential given the boat's short-handed sailing ethos — and most examples also carry a chartplotter, AIS, and a VHF. Heating systems are commonly fitted, reflecting the boat's strong presence in northern European markets where shoulder-season and winter sailing is the norm. Radar is frequently seen, and life rafts are common among boats with any offshore mileage. Hot water systems are standard on most boats encountered, and biminis have been added by a large proportion of previous owners to make the cockpit more comfortable on passage.

Solar panels and teak deck overlays appear on a meaningful portion of listings, often fitted during longer ownership periods as part of a broader liveaboard or extended-cruising refit. Code zeros and asymmetric spinnakers turn up occasionally as owner upgrades, reflecting the boat's light-displacement character and genuine appetite for off-wind sailing in light airs. Swim platforms have been retrofitted on some examples, a worthwhile addition given that the original transom offers limited access to the water.

What to Inspect

The CWS system demands careful scrutiny. The electric winch motor, its controller, and the associated cabling should all be tested under load, and any sign of intermittent operation or corrosion in the electrical chain warrants serious attention before purchase. Replacement parts are not off-the-shelf items, and any repair may require specialist sourcing. On boats where the CWS has been bypassed or partially disabled, verify exactly what has been modified and whether conventional winches have been properly fitted as replacements.

The hull construction is fibreglass with balsa core sandwich, which means osmosis and delamination are the two structural concerns most worth investigating. A professional osmosis survey is strongly recommended, particularly on boats that have spent extended periods in warmer waters where the condition tends to progress more quickly. Tap the deck and coachroof carefully for signs of delamination in the sandwich — soft spots around deck fittings, stanchion bases, and chainplates are the most common locations. Chainplates and keel-to-hull attachment points deserve close inspection on any boat from this era; the bulb fin keel generates significant leverage, and any movement or cracking in the keel area warrants a full engineering assessment before proceeding.

The overlapping genoa arrangement — the 35 CWS uses a conventional overlapping headsail rather than the self-tacking jib fitted to the related 36 CWS — means the sheeting tracks and cars see heavy use and should be checked for wear. Running rigging on a boat of this age should be budgeted for replacement if not recently done; standing rigging should be inspected at the masthead and at deck-level terminals. The outboard-facing chart table and the galley, while functional, can show wear in the joinery if the boat has been heavily used, so a below-decks inspection should include all locker hinges, drawers, and the condition of upholstery.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Dehler 35 CWS circulates primarily across its home markets in northern Europe — the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden — with a secondary presence in southern European brokerage markets including Italy and Spain. Given the modest production run, availability at any given time is limited, and buyers willing to cross borders to inspect will broaden their options considerably. The boat is not commonly found in North American markets.

For a buyer who values short-handed sailing capability, German build quality, and a light-displacement hull that rewards active sailing, the 35 CWS offers a compelling package. The Central Winch System is the single factor that separates a good buy from a frustrating one, so the pre-purchase checklist should treat it as a pass/fail item.

Before making an offer, confirm:

• CWS electric winch operates correctly under full load on sheets, halyards, and reefing lines
• Osmosis and hull integrity survey completed by a qualified marine surveyor
• Deck sandwich tapped for delamination, especially around deck fittings and stanchions
• Keel-to-hull joint inspected for cracking or movement
• Standing and running rigging assessed for age and condition
• All electrical systems — nav instruments, AIS, autopilot, chartplotter — tested underway
• Below-decks joinery, galley, and head equipment inspected for condition and function
• Parts availability for the CWS system researched before committing